Central Asia tour 5 countries

In the morning we have Eagle show and Archery near the lake. Drive to Skazka (“Fairy Tale”) Canyon, which has many interesting geological features and unusual rock formations. After a short hike (up to 1 hour), continue to the picturesque Jeti-Oguz (“Seven Bulls”) Gorge. Explore the gorge on a 1.5-hour hike and then transfer to Karakol for a sightseeing tour. Highlights include the Russian-Orthodox Church and the intriguing Dungan mosque (designed by a Chinese architect). Have dinner with a local Dungan/Uighur family. Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to Almaty, on the way visit to Charyn canyon. This 154m-long canyon within the Charyn National Park is sometimes called Kazakhstan’s “Grand Canyon”. In addition to unforgettable views of the enormous canyon with its multi-coloured tower formations (Castle Valley), the National Park offers the opportunity to see an ancient ash tree grove. After arriving at the canyon, take some time for a picnic lunch and a rest. After that, walk along the canyon for about 2 hours to enjoy the views and take photos. Then drive to Almaty. Overnight at the hotel.

Take a sightseeing tour of Almaty, Kazakhstan’s southern capital. Start at Panfilov Park, which was dedicated to and named after the 28 soldiers who died protecting the country’s freedom. Then visit Zenkov Cathedral and the World War II memorial complex. Zenkov Cathedral is the oldest building in the city and was built entirely out of wood, without any metal nails. Continue sightseeing at Green Bazaar (where you can also buy souvenirs), the Central Mosque, and Independence Square. After the city tour, drive to Medeo Gorge. Stop at the enormous Medeo Dam, which protects the city from destructive mudflows formed on the top of the western Tian Shan mountains. From the top of the dam, which is situated at an altitude of 1,733 m, enjoy the views of the largest high-mountain skating rink in the world – Medeo. Then drive to the top of Kok-Tobe Hill, where you can enjoy an unforgettable panorama of Almaty from the observation desk. At the foot of Kazakhstan’s tallest TV tower, take a walk along the park’s winding paths and see various sights – including a statue of The Beatles. Return to the city centre via the cable car, and then transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel

Free time until your transfer to Almaty International Airport. Then fly to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and then take a sightseeing tour of the city. Visit the Hissar Fortress, Madrassah Kuhna, Mosque of Hoji Yakub, National Museum of Tajikistan (closed on Mondays), Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, Statue of Ismail Samani, and Rudaki Park. Free time. Overnight at the hotel. Duration: 4-5 hours

Leave the hotel by 8:00 to drive to Iskanderkul Lake via the picturesque Anzob Pass (3,300 m above sea level). According to legend, this lake was named after Alexander the Great (who was known as “Iskander” in the East). People say that Alexander the Great travelled via this lake. On the way, stop to enjoy a packed lunch. Continue to the Seven Lakes, located in the western Fann Mountains. Overnight at a home stay near the Seven Lakes.

Explore the Seven Lakes of Marguzor (also called “Haf Kul”). These are seven different-coloured mountain lakes: Mijgon, Soya, Hushyor, Nophin (2,139 m above sea level), Khurdak, Marguzor, and Hazorchashma (2,400 m above sea level). After a picnic at Hazorchashma Lake, drive to Penjikent). Take a guided sightseeing tour of the city, including the Rudaki Museum (Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry). Visit ancient Penjikent, the ruins of a town founded by the Sogdians in the 5th century and abandoned by Arabs in the 8th century. The foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples, and the remains of the city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins. Drive to Sarazm, which is one of the oldest settlements in Central Asia and has 5,500 years of history. In 2010, Sarazm was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Then transfer to the Tajik-Uzbek border post at Jartepa. After crossing the border, meet your Uzbek driver and drive to Samarkand. Free time to explore the city. Overnight at the hotel.

Drive to Bukhara (280 km, 4 hours) and check in to the hotel. Then visit Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir and a unique combination of Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the Memorial Complex of Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi and Chor-Bakr Necropolis. Free time. Overnight at the hotel

Enjoy a guided walking sightseeing tour of Bukhara’s Old City, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, trading domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek, Chor-Minor, and Abdulazizkhan madrassahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, and Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel

Drive to Khiva (480 km, 7-8 hours), taking the route that traders once used when travelling along the Great Silk Road, across the Kyzylkum Desert between Bukhara and Khiva. The road is generally in good condition, except for some short stretches. On the way, stop to enjoy views of the desert and the Amudarya River. Arrive in Khiva in the late afternoon and check in to the hotel. Free time to rest. Overnight at the hotel. As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited menus, you may wish to take a packed lunch on this trip (your hotel or guide can help you arrange this the day before)

Take a guided walking tour of this ancient city. Visit the Itchan-Kala Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrassah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrassah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, and the Minaret of Islam Khoja. Climb the Islam Khoja Minaret, the highest minaret in Uzbekistan. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Old Khiva from the Kunya-Ark Citadel, followed by free time. Overnight at the hotel

Drive to the Turkmenistan border crossing at Shavat-Dashoguz. Complete the border formalities on both sides, crossing the 1.5 km neutral zone (please note that transportation may not be available). Meet your Turkmen guide and transfer to Kunya-Urgench (100 km, 1 hour 30 min). Visit the mausoleums of Turabek Khanum, SSultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmuddin-Kubra, Sultan Ali, followed by the Kutlug-Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla hill. In the afternoon, drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater, located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Free time to set up camp for the night, explore and photograph the area, and watch the sunset. Then enjoy a delicious fire-cooked dinner near the burning crater. Overnight in yurt.

Leave the camp site and drive to Ashgabat (280 km, 4 hours). Check in to the hotel and enjoy free time for the rest of the day. Overnight at the hotel.

Take a sightseeing tour of the fascinating city of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s capital. Ashgabat holds the Guinness World Record as the city with the highest density of white marble buildings in the world. During the city tour, explore the archeological site of Old Nissa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. Visit the National Museum of History, the Monument of Neutrality, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, and the recently-built Independence Park. The tour also includes a stop at the Akhalteke horses stables and the Lenin Monument. Free time in the late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel

Hotel check-out (by 12:00), free time until your transfer to Ashgabat International Airport. Departure. End of the tour.